U.S. patent application number 11/227981 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for suturing device, system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to RHAPHIS MEDICAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Yuri Belman, Henry Hamilton.
Application Number | 20070060930 11/227981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37856274 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070060930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamilton; Henry ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Suturing device, system and method
Abstract
Improved medical suturing devices, systems, and methods may hold
a suture needle at a fixed location relative to a handle of the
device, allowing the surgeon to grasp and manipulate the handle of
the suturing device to insert the needle through tissues in a
manner analogous to use of a standard needle gripper. Cycling the
handle from a closed position to an open position and back to the
closed position may alternate the device between gripping the
needle with a first clamp (for example, along a proximal portion of
the needle) to gripping the needle with a second clamp (for
example, along a distal portion of the needle) and optionally back
to gripping with the first clamp, with the needle often staying at
a substantially fixed location relative to the suturing device
body.
Inventors: |
Hamilton; Henry;
(Hillsborough, CA) ; Belman; Yuri; (Mountain View,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
RHAPHIS MEDICAL, INC.
San Mateo
CA
|
Family ID: |
37856274 |
Appl. No.: |
11/227981 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/144 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/00367
20130101; A61B 17/0469 20130101; A61B 17/2841 20130101; A61B 17/062
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/144 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/04 20060101
A61B017/04 |
Claims
1. A suturing method comprising: inserting a distal portion of a
suturing needle distally through a tissue by moving a body of a
suturing device while a clamp of the suturing device holds the
needle at a fixed location relative to the body; grasping the
distal portion of the needle with a second clamp of the suturing
device; releasing the proximal portion of the needle from the first
clamp; and pulling the proximal portion of the needle through the
tissue by moving the body while the second clamp holds the
needle.
2. The suturing method of claim 1, wherein the second clamp fixedly
holds the needle relative to the body while pulling the proximal
portion of the needle through the tissue.
3. The suturing method of claim 2, further comprising: grasping the
proximal portion of the needle with the first clamp and then
releasing the distal portion of the needle from the second clamp;
and repeating the inserting of the distal portion and pulling of
the proximal portion so as to define a plurality of suture
stitches.
4. The suturing method of claim 3, wherein the grasping and
releasing steps are effected by actuating a handle of the suturing
device with a hand of a surgeon.
5. The suturing method of claim 4, wherein the handle moves
relative to the body between an open-handed configuration and a
closed grasp configuration, and wherein the handle is in the closed
grasp configuration during the inserting of the distal portion, and
is in the open-handed configuration during the pulling of the
proximal portion.
6. The suturing method of claim 1, wherein the suturing device
grasps the needle with both the first and second clamps before
releasing of the first clamp and before releasing of the second
clamp.
7. The suturing method of claim 6, wherein grasping and releasing
of the clamps are effected by moving a handle between a first
configuration relative to the body and a second configuration
relative to the body, movement of the handle from the first
configuration to the second configuration and back to the first
configuration defining a handle actuation cycle, and wherein the
needle alternates at least once between being supported by the
first clamp and being supported by the second clamp with each
handle actuation cycle.
8. The suturing method of claim 7, further comprising alternating a
configuration of an alternatable drive element of a linkage between
a first configuration and a second configuration with each handle
actuation cycle, the alternatable drive element driving a first
linkage portion coupled to the first clamp in the first
configuration and driving a second linkage portion coupled to the
second clamp in the second configuration.
9. The suturing method of claim 8, wherein the handle actuation
cycle rotates a drive wheel, wherein the first and second linkage
portions each comprise a driven wheel, wherein the alternatable
drive element in the first configuration drivingly couples the
drive wheel with the driven wheel of the first linkage portion, and
wherein the alternatable drive element in the second configuration
drivingly couples the drive wheel with the driven wheel of the
second linkage portion.
10. The suturing method of claim 1, wherein the first clamp is
displaced laterally from around the needle when the second clamp is
inserting the needle, and wherein the second clamp is displaced
laterally from around the needle when the first clamp is pulling
the needle.
11. The suturing method of claim 10, wherein each clamp is mounted
to an associated reciprocatable shaft, and wherein grasping of the
needle with each clamp comprises distally extending the associated
shaft from a proximal housing of the body, and thereafter closing
the clamp around the needle.
12. The suturing method of claim 11, wherein grasping of the needle
with each clamp further comprising rotating the clamp about an axis
of the shaft between a retracted position and an extended grasping
position.
13. The suturing method of claim 11, wherein at least one
associated spring inhibits closing of each clamp before the clamp
is adjacent the needle.
14. The suturing method of claim 1, further comprising actuating a
release input of the suturing device so as to release the needle
from the first and second clamps.
15. The suturing method of claim 1, wherein the needle comprises an
off-the-shelf needle sold primarily for standard open or
laparoscopic surgery.
16. A suturing device for use with a suturing needle, the device
comprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end; a first
clamp near the distal end of the body; a second clamp near the
distal end of the body; a linkage effecting movement of the first
and second clamps between a grasping configuration and a displaced
configuration, each clamp grasping the needle at an associated
grasping location in the grasping configuration and laterally
displaced from the needle in the displaced configuration, the
grasping locations fixed relative to the body.
17. The suturing device of claim 16, further comprising a handle
disposed at the proximal end of the body and coupled to the first
and second clamps by the linkage so that actuation of the handle
alternates between: the first clamp in the grasping configuration
and the second clamp in the displaced configuration, and the second
clamp in the grasping configuration and the first clamp in the
displaced configuration.
18. The suturing device of claim 17, wherein the handle is
configured for grasping by a hand of a surgeon and is actuatable
between a closed hand configuration and an open hand configuration,
movement of the handle from the closed-hand configuration to the
open-hand configuration and back to the closed-hand configuration
defining a handle actuation cycle, and wherein support for the
needle alternates at least once between the first clamp and the
second clamp during each handle actuation cycle, and wherein the
surgeon can insert the needle into tissue by closing his hand on
the handle and manipulating the handle while the needle is grasped
by one of the clamps.
19. The suturing device of claim 18, wherein each clamp opens after
the other clamp has closed during the handle actuation cycle so
that the clamps maintain the needle at a substantially fixed
location relative to the body.
20. The suturing device of claim 17, wherein the linkage comprises
an alternatable drive element, the alternatable drive element
moving between a first configuration and a second configuration
with each handle actuation cycle, the alternatable drive element
driving a first linkage coupled to the first clamp in the first
configuration and driving a second linkage coupled to the second
clamp in the second configuration.
21. The suturing device of claim 20, wherein the handle actuation
cycle rotates a drive wheel, wherein the first and second linkages
each comprise a driven wheel, wherein the alternatable drive
element in the first configuration drivingly couples the drive
wheel with the driven wheel of the first linkage, and wherein the
alternatable drive element in the second configuration drivingly
couples the drive wheel with the driven wheel of the second
linkage.
22. The suturing device of claim 16, wherein during actuation the
linkage displaces the first clamp laterally from around the needle
after the second clamp grasps the needle, and wherein during
actuation the linkage displaces the second laterally from around
the needle after the first clamp grasps the needle.
23. The suturing device of claim 22, wherein each clamp has a
reciprocatable shaft extending proximally from the clamp to the
body, wherein the linkage reciprocates the shafts relative to the
body during the actuation cycle so as to move each clamp distally,
and wherein the linkage thereafter closes the distally extended
clamp around the needle.
24. The suturing device of claim 23, wherein the linkage rotates
each clamp about an axis of the shaft between a retracted position
and an extended grasping position.
25. The suturing device of claim 23, wherein at least one
associated spring inhibits closing of each clamp before the clamp
is adjacent the needle.
26. The suturing device of claim 16, further comprising a release
input coupled to the linkage so as to release the needle from the
first and second clamps.
27. The suturing device of claim 16, further comprising the needle,
wherein the needle comprises an off-the-shelf needle sold primarily
for standard open or laparoscopic surgery.
28. The suturing device of claim 16, wherein the clamping locations
of the first and second clamps are axially offset along a length of
the needle and angularly offset so as to accommodate axial
curvature of the needle.
29. The suturing device of claim 16, further comprising a proximal
handle coupled to the body so as to actuate along a handle
actuation plane, wherein the first and second clamps are oriented
to support the needle so that an axis of the needle traverses the
handle actuation plane
30. The suturing device of claim 16, wherein the suturing device is
composed of chemically sterilizable materials.
31. A suturing device for use with a suturing needle, the device
comprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle
disposed near the proximal end of the body, the handle actuatable
from a first configuration to a second configuration and back to
the first configuration so as to define an actuation cycle; a first
clamp and a second clamp disposed near the distal end of the body,
the first and second clamps coupled to the handle so that: a first
portion of the actuation cycle, initiated while the first clamp is
grasping the needle, effects grasping of the needle with the second
clamp and release of the needle from the first clamp; and a second
portion of the actuation cycle, initiated while the second clamp is
grasping the needle, effects grasping of the needle with the first
clamp and release of the needle from the second clamp.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to medical devices,
systems, and methods. In specific embodiments, the invention
provides devices, systems, and methods for suturing tissues in open
surgery, minimally invasive surgical procedures, and the like.
[0002] Although many aspects of surgery have changed radically over
the last several decades, some surgical techniques have remained
remarkably constant. For example, as was true fifty years ago,
suturing remains a common technique for approximation of tissues,
ligation of tissues, affixing tissues together, and the like.
[0003] Suture has been used in open surgical procedures for
generations to therapeutically treat diseased tissue and to close
surgical access sites and other wounds. More recently, the use of
minimally invasive surgical techniques has expanded, with surgical
therapies often being performed at internal surgical sites.
Although a wide variety of visualization techniques (including
laparoscopes and other endoscopic viewing devices, fluoroscopy and
other remote imaging modalities, and the like) have been developed
to allow surgeons to view these internal surgical sites, and
although a large variety of new tissue treatment techniques have
been developed (including ultrasound techniques, electrosurgical
techniques, cryosurgical techniques, and the like) and are now
widely available, many modern surgical interventions continue to
rely on suturing.
[0004] A wide variety of alternatives to suturing of tissues have
been developed, and have gained varying degrees of acceptance in
certain surgical procedures. Staples and tissue adhesives are used
quite frequently in many open and minimally invasive surgical
settings, and a variety of tissue welding techniques have also been
proposed. Nonetheless, suturing remains ubiquitous in surgery, as
suturing provides a number of advantages over many of the
alternatives.
[0005] Suture's advantages include the large knowledge and skill
base that surgeons have developed over the years. Additionally, a
variety of off-the-shelf, pre-packaged surgical needles with suture
are available from a large number of suppliers at very reasonable
cost. Surgeons are able to precisely control the location of suture
stitches by grasping the suture needle and first pushing it and
then pulling it through the target tissue. In open surgery the
surgeon may manually grasp the suture needle directly with his or
her hand, although both open and minimally invasive procedures are
often performed by grasping the needle with a needle grasping tool
and manipulating the tool to place the suture stitches. The results
obtained using suture are highly predictable, although dependent on
the skill of the surgeon. In light of its advantages, the use of
suture does not appear likely to disappear any time soon, with even
modern robotic surgical techniques often making use of suture.
[0006] Although suture remains popular in surgery at least in part
due to its significant advantages, suturing is not without
disadvantages. In particular, placing a large number of suture
stitches can be tiring and quite time-consuming. Manipulation of a
suture needle can be difficult even in open surgery due to the
limited space that is often available around the target tissues.
The challenges of manipulating suture needles may be even greater
in minimally invasive surgical procedures, where the needles are
often manipulated using long-handled tools extending through a
small aperture, typically while viewing the procedure on a display
which is offset from the surgical site. Tying knots with a desired
amount of tension and the like may call for intricate and precise
manipulation of the suture, further complicating and delaying open
and minimally-invasive surgeries. In fact, the time spent
closing/suturing the access site may be significantly greater than
the time spent treating the underlying target tissues for many
procedures.
[0007] There have been a variety of proposals for modifications to
standard surgical suturing structures and methods to try to address
the above disadvantages. At least some of these proposals may seek
to rely on specialized and/or proprietary suturing needle systems,
which could increase costs and preclude their wide acceptance,
especially in third world countries. Unfortunately, many proposals
for modifying existing suturing techniques may also decrease the
surgeon's control over the placement of the suture, such as by
relying on an automated or indirect mechanical movement of a device
to drive a suture needle into and/or through tissues. While these
new proposals have in the past or may in the future gain varying
degrees of acceptance in one or more surgical procedures, standard
suturing techniques continue to predominate throughout surgery in
general.
[0008] In light of the above, it would be desirable to provide
improved suturing devices, systems, and methods. It would be
generally desirable to maintain some, most, or all of the
advantages of standard suturing techniques, preferably while
decreasing the time required for suturing, the strain on the
surgeon, the training involved in achieving competence or
time-efficiency in suturing techniques, or the like. It would be
particularly advantageous if these improvements could be provided
without requiring extensive capital investments for new equipment,
without significant increases in complexity of the suturing
process, or without having to resort to specialized or proprietary
suturing needles and the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention generally provides improved medical
suturing devices, systems, and methods. Embodiments of the
invention provide improved suturing devices and methods that
maintain some or all of the advantages of standard open and/or
minimally invasive suturing techniques while providing enhanced
speed and ease of use. Exemplary suturing devices may hold a suture
needle at a fixed location relative to a handle of the device,
allowing the surgeon to grasp and manipulate the handle so as to
insert the needle through the tissues to be sutured in a manner
closely analogous to use of a standard needle gripper. Cycling of
the handle of the device from a closed position to an open position
and back to the closed position may result in the needle being
alternatingly gripped by a first clamp (for example, along a
proximal portion of the needle, suitable for insertion of the tip
of the needle into and through tissue), and then by a second clamp
(for example, along a distal portion of the needle, suitable for
pulling the protruding needle out from the tissue), and optionally
again by the first clamp (ready for initiation of the next stitch).
The needle will often remain at a substantially fixed location
relative to the body and handle of the suturing device during at
least the insertion and/or pulling of the needle through the
tissue, allowing the surgeon to maintain precise control over
needle movement and positioning of the suture. Advantageously,
standard off-the-shelf suturing needles with their attached suture
may be used, and the device may be employed in an open surgical
setting or a minimally invasive procedure.
[0010] In a first aspect, the invention provides a suturing method.
The suturing method comprises inserting a distal portion of a
suturing needle distally through a tissue by moving a body of a
suturing device. The body is moved while a clamp of the suturing
device holds the needle at a fixed location relative to the body.
The distal portion of the needle is grasped with a second clamp of
the suturing device, and the proximal portion of the needle is
released from the first clamp. The proximal portion of the needle
is pulled through the tissue by moving the body while the second
clamp holds the needle.
[0011] The second clamp will often hold the needle at a fixed
location relative to the body of the suturing device while the
needle is pulled free. The needle may also remain at a
substantially fixed location relative to the body of the suturing
device while alternating the clamps, for example, by grasping the
proximal portion of the needle with the first clamp and only then
releasing the distal portion of the needle from the second clamp.
The inserting of the distal portion of the needle into the tissue
with the first clamp, switching clamps, and then pulling the
proximal portion of the needle through the tissue with the second
clamps can significantly facilitate forming a plurality of suture
stitches, and may avoid completely releasing the needle and/or
re-aligning the needle with the device each time a stitch is
formed. Handing the needle back and forth between the first and
second clamps will often be effected by actuating a handle of the
suturing device with a hand of a surgeon, the handle typically
moving from an open handed configuration to a closed grasp
configuration. Preferably, the handle will be in the closed grasp
configuration at least while inserting the distal portion of the
needle into tissues.
[0012] In the exemplary embodiments, cycling the handle (for
example, from closed to open, and back to closed) alternates which
clamp of the suturing device is supporting the needle from the
first clamp, to the second clamp, and back to the first clamp. By
having both clamps supporting the needle for at least a portion of
the handle actuation cycle, unintended movement of the needle
relative to the body of the device (and the handle) can be
inhibited.
[0013] The suturing device body will often include a housing
containing a linkage, and the linkage may include an alternatable
drive element. The linkage will often drivingly couple the handle
to the first and second clamps. With each handle actuation cycle,
the alternatable drive element may move back an forth between a
first configuration and a second configuration. In its first
configuration, the alternatable drive element may drive a first
portion of the linkage coupled to the first clamp. In its second
configuration the alternatable drive element may drive a second
portion of the linkage coupled to the second clamp.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the handle actuation cycle may
effect rotation of a drive wheel. The first and second linkage
portions may each comprise a driven wheel, and the alternatable
drive element in the first configuration may drivingly couple the
drive wheel with the driven wheel of the first linkage portion. In
the second configuration of the alternatable drive element, it may
drivingly couple the drive wheel with a driven wheel of the second
linkage portion. The alternatable drive element may be, for
example, slidingly or pivotally attached to the drive wheel and may
move back and forth so as to engage surfaces of the driven wheels
on either side of the drive wheel, with the wheels being driven
about a common axis. Other linkage embodiments may employ an
alternatable drive element in the form of a slider having
alternative positions during axial movement, or the like. Still
further alternative linkage embodiments may employ rack and pinion
gears and cams, cables, and/or the like, with or without
alternatable drive elements.
[0015] In many embodiments, the first clamp will be displaced
laterally from around an axis of the needle when the second clamp
is used to move the needle through tissue. Similarly, the second
clamp may be displaced laterally from around the needle when the
first clamp is used to move the needle through tissue. Each clamp
may, for example, be mounted to an associated shaft, and these
shafts may reciprocate so as to extend distally from a housing of
the body before closing of the clamp around the needle. In some
embodiments, the clamp may also pivot about an axis of the shaft
while moving between a retraced position and an extended needle
grasping position. A spring or other biasing means may inhibit
closing of the clamp before the clamp is properly disposed around
the needle, or the linkage may otherwise be configured to extend
the shaft before closing of the clamp. In some embodiments, the
shafts, clamps, and needle may move axially slightly relative to
the housing of the body when the handle is cycled.
[0016] Conveniently, a release input may be provided on the
suturing device so as to release the needle from both the first and
second clamps. The needle may comprise an off-the-shelf needle
which is sold primarily for standard open or laparoscopic
procedures. These needles often come prepackaged with suture, and
are available in a large variety of needle sizes and configuration,
suture types (including resorbable and non-resorbable sutures), and
the like, often at very modest costs. Alternatively, specialized
needles may also be employed.
[0017] In another aspect, the invention provides a suturing device
for use with a suture needle. The device comprises a body having a
proximal end and a distal end. A first clamp is disposed near the
distal end of the body. A second clamp is also disposed near the
distal end of the body. A linkage effects movement of the first and
second clamps between a grasping configuration and a displaced
configuration. Each clamp grasps the needle at an associated
grasping location in the grasping configuration, and is laterally
displaced from the needle in the displaced configuration. The
grasping locations are fixed relative to the body.
[0018] In another aspect, the invention provides a suturing device
for use with a suturing needle. The device comprises a body having
a proximal end and a distal end. A handle is disposed near the
proximal end of the body. The handle is actuatable from a first
configuration to a second configuration and back to the first
configuration so as to define an actuation cycle. A first clamp and
a second clamp are disposed near the distal end of the body, and
the clamps are coupled to the handle so that an actuation cycle
initiated while the first clamp is grasping the needle results in
grasping of the needle with the second clamp and release of the
needle from the first clamp, and then in the first clamp grasping
the needle and the needle being released from the second clamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
suturing device with one of the clamps of the suturing device
grasping a suturing needle.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a proximal portion of the
suturing device of FIG. 1, with a cover removed from a proximal
housing of the suturing device to show a portion of a linkage
coupling a handle of the suturing device to the clamps of the
suturing device.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of components of the
linkage shown in FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a distal portion of the
suturing device of FIG. 1, showing components of a clamp along with
a reciprocatable shaft and elements of the linkage that effect
movement of the reciprocatable shaft and actuation of the
clamp.
[0023] FIGS. 5-9 are perspective views showing use of the device of
FIG. 1 for suturing tissues.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative suturing
device having first and second clamps which both reciprocate and
rotate away from a suturing needle after releasing of the needle
from the clamp.
[0025] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the suturing device of FIG.
10 showing some of the components of its drive linkage.
[0026] FIGS. 12-14 are partially exploded perspective views showing
a portion of an actuation cycle of the suturing device of FIG. 10,
and showing how the clamps both reciprocate and rotate away from
the suturing needle.
[0027] FIGS. 15-17 are perspective views of components of the
suturing device of FIG. 10, showing how rotation of the
reciprocatable shaft is effected.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another an alternative
suturing device which holds a suture needle so that an axis of the
needle extends along an actuation plane of a handle of the
device.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a suturing system including
the suturing device and needle of FIG. 18, with a cover removed so
as to show components of a linkage coupling the actuatable handles
of the device to clamps for holding the needle.
[0030] FIGS. 20 and 21 are detailed views illustrating
reciprocatable shafts and drive linkages configured to effect
movement and actuation of the clamps in the suturing device of FIG.
18.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of yet another alternative
suturing device and system having a drive system including a rack
and cams.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the suturing device of FIG.
22 with a cover removed so as to show components of the drive
system of the device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The present invention is generally directed to improved
medical suturing devices, systems, and methods. Exemplary
embodiments of the invention provide improved suturing devices and
methods for suturing tissues that can significantly increase the
speed and ease of suturing, particularly when suturing of long
incisions or where large numbers of stitches are to be
deployed.
[0034] The invention should find a wide variety of applications for
stitching anatomical tissues in both humans and animals. Along with
endoscopic operations (for example, in laparoscopy) these
structures and methods may find use in other areas of surgery where
tissues are to be stitched, providing particular advantages for
stitching of large incisions by increasing the ease and speed with
which each individual stitch may be placed, as well as facilitating
and expediting the formation of knots in the suture. The suturing
devices and associated methods described herein may, for example,
be used suture a wide variety of strata of anatomical tissues,
including (but not limited to) subcutaneous layers, fascia, the
outer skin, various organs (including the uterus), and the like.
While exemplary embodiments are set forth below, these suturing
devices and methods may be applicable to a wide variety of suturing
operations, including open surgery, large and small cavity
procedures, endoscopic procedures, microsurgeries (including for
suturing of veins, arteries, and the like), and many specialized
surgeries. Embodiments of these devices and methods may be
particularly useful for surgeries involving long incisions,
including plastic surgeries. A wide variety of blood vessels,
including both veins and arteries, may also be stitched using the
techniques described herein, for formation of anastomoses and the
like. Along with increasing the speed and/or ease of forming
surgical suture stitches, embodiments of the invention will often
maintain the control a doctor has over the placement of the sutures
by maintaining a fixed relationship between the movements of the
doctor's hand and the insertion and withdrawal of the suturing
needle. Hence, among the procedures which may benefit from the
invention are subcuticular peritoneum, fascia closure, and skin
closure.
[0035] While embodiments of the invention may include (or be used
within) a powered or automated system, optionally making use of
electromechanical power, hydraulic power, or the like (for example,
with some embodiments being included within a robotic system),
other embodiments may be configured for manual manipulation by one
or more hands of a surgeon, often without having to resort to
complex subsystems or external power.
[0036] Many embodiments of the devices described herein will be
sterilizable so as to allow repeated use. Sterilization may be
effected using autoclave techniques, chemical sterilization,
irradiation, or the like, with most or all of the structures of the
suturing device being formed of materials suitable for repeated
sterilization (such as stainless steel, other metals and alloys,
and the like). In general, the suturing device may comprise one or
more plastics and/or metals common to surgical devices. Although
specialized or proprietary suturing needles may be employed in some
embodiments (for example, needles having flat gripping surfaces so
as to maintain an alignment between the needle and an associated
clamp), many embodiments of the suturing device will be suitable
for use with standard off-the-shelf suture needles such as those
packaged with any of a wide variety of permanent or resorbable
suture materials in a hermetically sealed package. In fact, the
invention may find some of its most immediate applications for
facilitating surgical procedures performed manually in Third World
countries, allowing physicians to treat a larger number of patients
with greater ease than can be done using standard suturing
techniques, but without the cost or complexity of recently-proposed
automated suturing systems.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary suturing system 100
generally includes a suturing device 102 and a needle 1. Needle 1
generally has a proximal end 104 and a distal end 106, with at
least the distal end being sharpened to facilitate insertion of the
needle distally into and through tissues. Surgical needles are
often formed with a curving shape between the proximal and distal
ends, and are often packaged with a suture extending from proximal
end 104, with the needle sometimes being referred to as an
acus.
[0038] Suturing device 102 generally has a body 112 having a
proximal end 108 and a distal end 110. A pair of clamps 3 are
disposed near the distal end 110, while first and second handles 6,
8 are disposed near proximal end 108. Body 112 may include a
proximal housing 7 and a distal extension 4. The distal extension
may have a pair of channels, with each channel reciprocatably
receiving a shaft 2 supporting an associated clamp 3.
[0039] In this embodiment, clamps 3 are mirror-symmetric, although
they may alternatively have differing shapes. Clamps 3 are
generally offset so as to grip axially offset portions of needle 1,
with one of the clamps gripping a more proximal portion of the
needle and the other clamp gripping a more distal portion of the
needle. When handles 6, 8 are in a close-handed configuration as
illustrated in FIG. 1, only one of clamps 3 will typically grip
needle 1, the other clamp being retracted proximally away from the
needle. Handles 6, 8 have openings for receiving fingers of the
surgeon's hand, and the surgeon will typically actuate the handles
by opening them from the closed-handed configuration shown to an
open-handed configuration 114. Starting with handles 6, 8 in the
closed (as shown in FIG. 1), when the handle is moved to
open-handed configuration 114 and is then returned to the
closed-handed configuration, the handle may be described as having
completed an actuation cycle.
[0040] With each actuation cycle of handles 6, 8, the clamp 3
supporting needle 1 is alternated so that a needle initially
supported by grasping the needle in first clamp along a proximal
portion of the needle will, when handles 6, 8 are in open-handed
configuration 114, instead be supported by the second clamp along a
more distal portion of the needle. As handles 6, 8 move back to the
closed-handed configuration to complete the cycle, the clamps again
alternate, so that closing of the handle results in extension of
the proximal clamp, gripping of needle 1 with that proximal clamp,
release of the needle from the distal clamp, and retraction of the
distal clamp. The position of needle 1 relative to body 112 may
remain substantially fixed throughout the handle actuation cycle,
although the shafts may move axially slightly as the needle goes
from being held by one clamp, to both clamps, and then to the other
clamp, with this movement of the needle being less than a length of
the needle.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, handles 6, 8 are pivotally
attached to housing 7 of body 112. Housing 7 generally includes at
least one lid 9 (the top lid shown removed in FIG. 2), with the
proximal housing preferably including opposed first and second lids
9 on opposed major surfaces of the body. Lids 9 and the other
structures of housing 7 generally enclose a drive linkage 116
coupling handles 6, 8 to clamps 3. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9,
drive linkage 116 generally includes a drive wheel 11 and two
driven wheels 10 and 12. The driven wheels 10 and 12 are
mirror-symmetric and joined by tie rods 14 and 21 to clamps 3.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, driven wheel 10 has a thrust
surface 24, while driven wheel 12 has a stop surface 23 and an
incline 22. The driving wheel is supported so as to rotate about an
axle 20, the driving wheel also having a lug 13. The driving wheel
11 is coupled to handles 6, 8 by ties 18 and 19, so that actuation
of the handles relative to the body 7 induces rotation of driving
wheel 11 about the axle. The driven wheels 10, 12 rotate coaxially
with driven wheel 11.
[0043] Lug 13 generally comprises an alternatable configuration
driving element. Lug 13 either drivingly couples driving wheel 11
with driven wheel 10, or with driven wheel 12, depending on the
configuration of lug 13 at the time. More specifically, when lug 13
is disposed above a guide 15 as shown in FIG. 2, the lug drivingly
couples the driving wheel 11 with the upper driven wheel 10. When
lug 13 is disposed below guide 15, the lug drivingly engages driven
wheel 12, and is disengaged from driven wheel 10. A reset or
release input button 16 interacts with guide 15 and a spring-loaded
positioning arm 17 so as to allow both clamps 3 to release needle
1.
[0044] As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 1-4, each clamp
3 is connected by an associated shaft 2 to the remaining components
of drive linkage 116. Shafts 2 each include a lengthwise slot 118
(see FIG. 4), which allows the shaft to move within the channels of
body extension 4. Guiding pins 32 ride in slots 118, and the
guiding pins 32 are also fixed in extensions 4 within openings
5.
[0045] Moving wedges 31 within shafts 2 also have lengthwise slots
118 for receiving guiding pins 32. The wedge surfaces of moving
wedges 32 engage corresponding surfaces of working jaws 25, with
the working jaws forming the open and closable structure of clamps
3. More specifically, distal movement of moving wedge 31 against a
corresponding surface of working jaws 25 closes clamps 3, the
working jaws being attached to a distal clevis of shaft 2 by axle
27. A spring ring 30 biases working jaws 25 to an open
configuration, allowing them to move around and capture needle 1
before the working jaws are forced shut by the moving wedges.
[0046] Working jaws 25 may have a variety of surfaces for holding
needle 1, the clamps preferably holding the needle so that movement
of the needle relative to suturing device 100 is inhibited during
stitching. The surfaces of working jaws 25 may be hardened by
deposition of diamond or a diamond-like carbon, or inserts 26 of a
material harder than that of working jaws 25 may be provided.
Optionally, working jaws 25 may have hard-surfaced inserts
comprising tungsten and/or cobalt, with the inserts optionally
being fabricated using powder sintering or the like.
[0047] A return spring 28 extends between pin 28 in working jaws 25
and the guiding pin 32, with the return spring partially fixed
within a lumen of moving wedge 31. A spring 34 in the proximal
portion of moving wedge 31 is held by a plug 37, with the distal
end of spring 34 interacting with shaft 2 via thrust ring 33.
Spring 34 can bring the moving wedge 31 into a position suitable
for releasing the working jaws. A compensation spring 36 pressed
against plug 37 writes on a rod 35 of a pusher 42 so as to maintain
a desired axial force. Pusher 42 has an insert 40, which is
connected with the pusher 42 by pin 39 and lug 38. The lug rotates
about axle 41.
[0048] When handles 6 and 8 are moved apart to an open-handed
configuration 114, a retracted clamp 3 and its associated shaft 2
moves from within a channel of body extension 4. While retracted,
the moving wedge 31 is biased by spring 34 away from working jaws
25, so that spring ring 30 is free to open the clamp to allow it to
extend around needle 1. Extension of compensating spring 34 may be
at its greatest point while the associated clamp 3 is retracted,
and insert 40 extends from pusher 42 with lug 38 in the insert.
[0049] As handles 6 and 8 are brought together, driving wheel 11 is
turned by connector ties 18, 19. Lug 38 interacts with thrust
surface 24 of driven wheel 10 and moves the driven wheel 10 in
rotation. The motion of driven wheel 10 is transferred by tie rod
14 so as to move insert 40 axially along body extension 4. The
insert, in turn, moves the pusher 42 along body extension 4, the
relative position of the insert 40 and pusher 42 being maintained
by an inner surface of shaft 2 interacting with plug 30 so as to
inhibit rotation of the plug about axle 41. Pusher 42 presses
spring 34 and compensation spring 32, and via plug 37 and thrust
ring 33, moves shaft 2. The movement of shaft 2 overcomes spring 29
and extends the shaft from the channel of body extension 4.
[0050] During distal movement of pusher 42, spring 34 and
compensating spring 36 are sufficiently stiff so as to inhibit
elongation, as their spring coefficients are significantly higher
than that of return spring 29. However, engagement between an end
of slot 118 in shaft 2 and guiding pin 32 eventually inhibits
further distal movement of the shaft.
[0051] Once shaft 2 has stopped its distal movement (due to
engagement of lengthwise slot 118 with guiding pin 32), spring 34
begins to contract, its rigidity being lower than that of
compensating spring 26. As a result, moving wedge 31 begins to
extend distally relative to working jaws 25, the corresponding
surfaces of the wedge and working jaws sliding against each other
so as to move the proximal ends of the working jaws apart and
bringing the distal needle gripping inserts 26 of working jaws 25
together so as to grasp needle 1. As spring 34 contracts,
contraction of compensation spring 36 also begins and the insert 40
moves. When lug 38 extends into and/or engages window 2a of shaft
2, pusher 42 engages a surface of body extension 4 or proximal
housing 7, and axial movement of the pusher stops. Insert 40
continues moving, so that lug 38 rotates around axle 41. The lug
interacts with an edge of shaft 2 and, overcoming compensation
spring 36, starts to draw shaft 2 and its contents into body
extension 4.
[0052] The clamping force on needle 1 by clamps 3 may be determined
by the spring characteristics of compensating spring 36 so as to
remain within a desired range. Advantageously, the clamping force
imposed by suturing device 100 on needle 1 may correspond to forces
applied by standard needle holders. Thrust surface 23 of driven
wheel 12 approaches a tooth of spring-loaded fixing arm 17, and
overcoming the spring, the thrust surface passes under the tooth,
releasing the tooth so that the tooth and thrust surface are
positioned for neutral engagement. After the thrust surface 23 of
the driven wheel 12 passes beyond the tooth of spring loaded fixing
arm 17, engagement of the thrust surface and tooth inhibit the
return of the driving linkage 116 to its prior configuration,
thereby inhibiting the release of needle 1 from the closed working
jaws 25 so that the needle is not dropped.
[0053] As handles 6, 8 continue to move toward the open-handed
configuration of the handle actuation cycle, movement of driven
wheel 12 is inhibited by spring-loaded fixing arm 17. Driving wheel
11 nonetheless turns, and is reset. More specifically, incline 22
of driven wheel 12 moves lug 13 from a configuration above guide 15
to a configuration in which the lug is disposed under the guide.
Hence, when handles 6, 8 continue to move, here towards a
closed-handed configuration, the lug 13 will interact with thrust
surface 24 of the driven wheel 10. The description above regarding
driven wheel 12 is thus repeated but with driven wheel 10 instead.
When moving under the spring-loaded fixing arm 17, the thrust
surface 23 of driven wheel 12 lifts the spring-loaded fixing arm 17
and releases driven wheel 10.
[0054] By action of spring 34, moving wedge 31 is retracted
proximally from between the proximal ends of working jaws 25, so
that the proximal ends of the working jaws are brought together by
spring-loaded ring 30. Distal ends of working jaws 25 thereby move
apart and the needle is released.
[0055] Each repeated opening and closing actuating cycle of handles
6, 8 alternates the needle between being held by one, and then the
other of clamps 3, and often back to the first clamp. In other
embodiments, each handle actuation cycle effects transfer of the
needle from one clamp to the other, with the needle returning to be
held solely by the first clamp only with a second handle actuation
cycle. Regardless, during each cycle each retracted clamp is
preferably extended around an associated portion of needle 1 and is
closed before the previously extended clamp opens, so that the
needle is held continuously by at least one of clamps 3 throughout
the handle actuation cycle.
[0056] If it is desired to release needle 1 from suturing device
112 at any time during, before, or after a handle actuation cycle,
release can be effected by pressing on release input button 16.
Pressing on button 16 causes spring-loaded fixing arm 17 to lift
away from driven wheels 10 and 12, thereby resetting the clamps in
their proximal opened configuration.
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, the use of suturing device 102
for suturing an incision I in tissue T can be understood.
Initially, handles 6, 8 (see FIG. 1) are in a closed-handed
configuration and the handles are grasped by a hand of a surgeon.
Needle 1 is supported by a first clamp 3a, with the first clamp
grasping a proximal portion of the needle adjacent a suture S. The
second clamp 3b is retracted proximally away from needle I, so that
a distal portion of the needle is free and exposed, as illustrated
in FIG. 5.
[0058] As can be understood with reference to FIG. 6, the surgeon
manually moves suturing device 102 by manipulating handles 6, 8 so
as to insert a distal portion of suturing needle 1 through tissue
T. Advantageously, body 112 and linkage 116 (see FIG. 2) of
suturing device 102 inhibits relative movement of needle 1 relative
to the body and handles 6, 8 of the suturing device while the
handles are closed. This allows the surgeon to precisely control
movement of the needle 1 as it is inserted through the tissue, in a
manner analogous to manual manipulation of the needle using a
standard needle grasper or forceps. As can be understood with
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, once the distal portion of needle 1
extends sufficiently through the tissue, handles 6, 8 can be cycled
through at least a portion of their actuation cycle. Through the
linkage 116, second clamp 3b is extended distally from body 112 of
suturing device 102, grasping the distal portion of needle 1. The
first clamp 3a then releases needle 1 and is withdrawn proximally
from around the needle, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0059] As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, once
needle 1 is held by second clamp 3b, the surgeon can again
manipulate the needle by moving handles 6, 8. In some embodiments,
the surgeon can grasp the handles in an open-handed configuration
while pulling the needle free from the tissue, while in other
embodiments the needle will be pulled after the handle has returned
to the closed-handed configuration. Regardless, the surgeon uses
the handles, body, and clamp 3b to pull the proximal portion of
needle 1 through tissue T, thereby leaving suture S inserted across
incision I.
[0060] Prior to initiating a second stitch, the surgeon can cycle
handles 6, 8 by closing the handles with his/her hand, or by
opening and closing the handles through a full actuation cycle.
This results in grasping of needle 1 by first clamp 3a and release
of the needle by second clamp 3b, exposing the distal portion of
the needle and displacing the second clamp from the needle so that
the needle is ready to again insert through tissue T, as can be
understood with reference to FIG. 5. The process can then be
repeated without ever having to completely release needle 1, and by
simply actuation of handles 6, 8 after insertion of the distal
portion of the needle through the tissue and again after each
pulling of the needle free. The process is repeated to form as many
stitches as is desired. Analogous insertion of the distal portion
of the needle through loops of suture, actuation of the handle, and
pulling the needle free can be used to quickly and easily form
knots.
[0061] As can be understood from the illustrations in FIGS. 5-9,
and as may be indicated by the detailed description above of the
articulation of the drive linkage, shafts 2 extending distally from
body 112 to clamps 3a, 3b may move slightly during the handle
actuation cycle, for example, with the shaft supporting the clamp
initially holding needle 1 retracting slightly into body 112 as the
other shaft extends. Nonetheless, each clamp holds the needle at a
fixed location while the surgeon holds the handles 6, 8 in the
closed configuration and inserts or withdraws the needle into or
from the tissue.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 10-22, a wide variety of alternative
linkage mechanisms, clamp structures, housing, handles, and the
like may be employed. Referring first to FIG. 10, an alternative
suturing device 130 may include clamps 43, 44 which both retract
proximally and rotate away from needle when not used to hold the
needle. Referring now to FIGS. 10-17, and avoiding describing
structures which are substantially similar to those described
above, clamps 43 and 44 have bent-shaped inserts 54 made of a hard
alloy (see FIG. 15). Proximal ends of clamps 43 and 44 may have
conical surfaces 55 which are located, sized, and configured so as
to interact with a distal port of shaft 47, and more specifically,
so that proximally withdrawing the working jaws of clamps 43, 44
into sleeve 47 closes the working jaws of these clamps.
[0063] Shaft 47 has a lengthwise slot 52 for receiving a guiding
pin, while a proximal extension of the working jaws of clamps 43,
44 has a spiral lengthwise slot 51 receiving guiding pin 48. Shafts
47 are connected with pushers 53, and ride in distal body extension
45, with the distal body extension again having openings for
receiving the guiding pins.
[0064] In alternative suturing device 120, as the guiding pins 45
ride within spiral slot 51 due to axial motion of clamps 43, 44,
the clamp rotates away from a needle 1 about the axis of shaft 47
when the clamp retracts proximally.
[0065] The rotation of clamps 43, 44 with axial movement of shafts
47 as effected by actuation of handles 6, 8 can be understood with
reference to FIGS. 12-13. As can be seen in FIG. 12, a first
rotatable clamp 43 holds a proximal portion of needle 1 while
handles 6, 8 are in a closed-handed configuration, while second
rotatable clamp 44 is both withdrawn proximally and rotated clear
of the needle. As the handles begin to open, as illustrated in FIG.
13, distal movement of shaft 47 of second rotatable clamp 44
imparts a twisting motion to the clamp due to the interaction
between the guiding pin 48 and the helical slot 51 (see FIG. 11).
The second rotatable clamp 44 can rotate into position and extend
around needle 1, with the second clamp 44 grasping needle 1 and
first clamp 43 withdrawn proximally and rotated free from the
needle when the handles are in their fully opened configuration.
Once again, a full actuation cycle from a closed configuration to
an open configuration and back to a closed configuration may result
in the needle alternating from being grasped by the first clamp
along a proximal portion of the needle, then being grasped by the
second clamp along a more distal portion of the needle (with the
handles in the open configuration), and with the needle again being
grasped solely by the first clamp when the handles are returned to
the closed configuration. The structure and rotation of rotatable
clamps 43, 44, along with the associated interaction between shaft
47 and guiding pin 48 are also illustrated in FIGS. 15-17.
[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 18-21, a still further alternative
suturing device 140 has first and second clamps 142, 144 formed by
working jaws 56, 57 connected at an axle 58. The shafts supporting
clamps 142, 144 here comprise flattened structures 60 located
within channels of body extension 61. Shafts 60 interact with rods
67 of pusher 63. This linkage couples handles 62 to clamps 142, 144
using a moveable rod 65 and an immovable fixing arm 66, along with
a flat spring 64. Rods 67 of pushers 63 have inclines 68 which
function to open and close the clamps, as can be understood with
reference to FIGS. 20 and 21.
[0067] Note that in embodiment 140, needle 1 generally extends
along a plane of actuation of handle 62. In contrast, in suturing
device 102, illustrated in FIG. 1, needle 1 generally extends
across the handle actuation plane. Ergonomically, there may be
advantages in orienting the needle so that it traverses the handle
actuation plane as shown in FIG. 1. Such a configuration may
conveniently be used by either a right hand or a left hand of the
surgeon, although embodiments configured for use by only one or the
other may also be provided.
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 22 and 23, yet another alternative
suturing device 160 has an external appearance somewhat similar to
suturing device 140 of FIGS. 18 and 19, but makes use of a
significantly different linkage mechanism for coupling handle 72 to
clamps 69, 70. The clamps again extend from associated channels in
body 71, but the linkage here makes use of a rack 77 actuated by a
rod 84.
[0069] First clamp 69 has elongate levers 73 and 74, while second
clamp 70 has levers 75 and 76. Tie rods 83 and 85 axially actuate
rack 77 via rod 84, resulting in rotation of cams 78, 79, and large
cams 81, 82. The large cams axially extend associated levers 74 and
75 so as to axially extend their associated clamps, while a spring
80 proximally withdraws the clamps when allowed by their cams. The
small cams open and close the clamps via levers 73 and 76, with the
levers generally acting as followers along the cam surfaces.
[0070] While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail, by way of example and for clarity of
understanding, a variety of modifications, changes, and adaptations
will be obvious to those of skill in the art. For example, along
with the exemplary drive linkages described herein, still further
drive linkages may be provided, including those making use of
cables and pulleys, worm gears, and the like. Hence, the scope of
the present invention is limited solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *